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New York Times best-selling poet and multiplatinum singer-songwriter Jewel explores her unconventional upbringing and extraordinary life in an inspirational memoir that covers her childhood, rise to fame, marriage, and motherhood. She writes beautifully about growing up amid the natural wonders of Alaska, about pain and childhood trauma, and about discovering her own identity years after the entire world had discovered the beauty of her songs.
"Well written"
Everybody sexts, right? Or at least that's what the Internet would have you believe. In Dick Pic, Mary H. K. Choi humorously dissects the intentions behind such flagrant oversharing and chronicles the one time a dick pic wasn't just a dick pic but a dick pic so virile and portentous that it had a 50 percent probability of actually making another dick - a sonogram from an ex.
It's the age-old 30-something's dilemma: If you did ecstasy in the '90s, does it mean you've done Molly? Dragging her raver ass out of retirement to revisit her teenaged party days, Mary H.K. Choi throws herself into the belly of the EDM beast to see if there's anything to this Molly business. And to find out if doing recreational drugs as a bored adult is the key to staying young or if this is the worst, most embarrassing and irresponsible idea ever.
Millions of fans watched Derren Brown make a London cab driver forget where the London Eye is, buy high-priced items with blank pieces of paper, turn an average guy into a pub quiz champion, and otherwise amaze spectators with feats of psychological illusion. But how did Derren go from small-time magician performing in a restaurant to national celebrity and television star? Mind Stunts tells the story of the stunts that made Derren famous.
My Korean Mom is a bittersweet love letter from Mary H. K. Choi to her mother that hopes to convey the frustration, shame, loyalty, and searing adoration that's part and parcel of being the kid of an immigrant. It's not as if she could tell her mother to her face how much she loves her. That's just not how it's done.
What if there was a secret world where people - among them US soldiers and Silicon Valley wunderkinds - were making themselves smarter? Their reaction times, aptitude for language, problem-solving skills, and marksmanship are all improving, under the watchful eye of scientists and DARPA (the defense advanced research projects agency). Such are the claims of transcranial direct current stimulation - also known as TDCS.
M Train begins in the tiny Greenwich Village café where Smith goes every morning for black coffee, ruminates on the world as it is and the world as it was, and writes in her notebook. Through prose that shifts fluidly between dreams and reality, past and present, and across a landscape of creative aspirations and inspirations, we travel to Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul in Mexico; to a meeting of an Arctic explorer's society in Berlin; and to the graves of Genet, Plath, Rimbaud, and Mishima.
"6 hours is not enough"
Joe and Rose Kennedy's strikingly beautiful daughter, Rosemary, attended exclusive schools, was presented as a debutante to the queen of England, and traveled the world with her high-spirited sisters. And yet Rosemary was intellectually disabled - a secret fiercely guarded by her powerful and glamorous family.
With refreshing candor, Sounds Like Me reveals Sara Bareilles - the artist and the woman - and her take on songwriting, soul searching, and what's discovered along the way. She shares the joys and the struggles that come with creating great work, all while staying true to herself. Imbued with humor and marked by Sara's confessional writing style, this collection tells the inside story behind some of her most popular songs.
Jalen Rose has never been quiet. Not as a kid growing up in Detroit in the '70s and '80s. Not as the brash, trash-talking leader of the legendary "Fab Five" at the University of Michigan. Not as the player under the stewardship of Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, and others throughout his 13-year NBA career. And certainly not as a commentator and analyst on ABC/ESPN and Grantland.
Creedence Clearwater Revival is one of the most important and beloved bands in the history of rock, and John Fogerty wrote, sang, and produced their instantly recognizable classics: "Proud Mary", "Bad Moon Rising", "Born on the Bayou", and more. Now he reveals how he brought CCR to number one in the world, eclipsing even the Beatles in 1969. By the next year, though, Creedence was falling apart; their amazing, enduring success exploded and faded in just a few short years.
Kaitlin Roig-Debellis is the first-grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School who saved her entire class of 15 six- and-seven-year-olds from the tragic events that took place on December 14, 2012, by piling them into a single-occupancy bathroom within her classroom, mere feet from the brutal and indiscriminate massacre taking place outside the door. Since then, despite the unimaginably painful experiences she endured, she has chosen to share her experience with others, in the hope that they, too, can find light in dark moments.
"Have a seat and listen in..."
When a waiting world learned on April 12, 1955, that Jonas Salk had successfully created a vaccine to prevent poliomyelitis, he became a hero overnight. Born in a New York tenement, humble in manner, Salk had all the makings of a 20th-century icon - a knight in a white coat. In the wake of his achievement, he received a staggering number of awards and honors; for years his name ranked with Gandhi and Churchill on lists of the most revered people.
From the Chicago neighborhoods where she grew up and set her groundbreaking The House on Mango Street to her abode in Mexico in a region where "my ancestors lived for centuries", the places Sandra Cisneros has lived have provided inspiration for her now-classic works of fiction and poetry. But a house of her own, where she could truly take root, has eluded her. With this collection - spanning three decades and including never-before-published work - Cisneros has come home at last.
In 2010 Clive James was diagnosed with terminal leukemia. Deciding that "if you don't know the exact moment when the lights will go out, you might as well read until they do", James moved his library to his house in Cambridge, where he would "live, read, and perhaps even write". James is the award-winning author of dozens of works of literary criticism, poetry, and history, and this volume contains his reflections on what may well be his last reading list.
For more than 40 years, Frederick Forsyth has been writing extraordinary real-world novels of intrigue, from the groundbreaking The Day of the Jackal to the prescient The Kill List. Whether writing about the murky world of arms dealers, the shadowy Nazi underground movement, or the intricacies of worldwide drug cartels, every plot has been chillingly plausible because every detail has been minutely researched. But what most people don't know is that some of his greatest stories of intrigue have been in his own life.
Before he became a household name in America as perhaps our greatest hard-boiled crime writer, before his attachment to Lillian Hellman and blacklisting during the McCarthy era, and his subsequent downward spiral, Dashiell Hammett led a life of action. The tuberculosis he contracted during the war forced him to leave the Pinkertons - but it may well have prompted one of America's most acclaimed writing careers.
Peter Ackroyd follows his hero, "the sweetest-tempered of all the Victorian novelists", from his childhood as the son of a well-known artist to his struggling beginnings as a writer, his years of fame, and his lifelong friendship with the other great London chronicler, Charles Dickens. In addition to his enduring masterpieces, The Moonstone - often called the first true detective novel - and the sensational The Woman in White, Collins produced an intriguing array of lesser-known works.
This book is an anecdotal memoir spanning Tony Roberts' 55 years as a professional actor. During that time, Roberts has appeared in 23 Broadway shows, 25 films, three television series, and recorded numerous audiobooks and voice-over commercials. He explores the sources of his ambition and describes the ups and downs of a career in show business. While not a "how-to" book, it provides the inspirational guidance taught by one of America's greatest acting teachers: Alvina Krause. Oh, there's also a lot of stuff about Woody Allen and other people you've probably heard of.
As an RAF medical officer, Aidan McCarthy served in France, survived Dunkirk, and was plunged into adventures in the Japanese-American arena comparable with those of famous war heroes. Interned by the Japanese in Java, he helped his fellow prisoners with amazing ingenuity in awful conditions. En route back to Japan in 1944, his ship was torpedoed, but he was rescued by a whaling boat and re-interned in Japan.
An essay in biography, Rollyson argues, is an effort to comprehend a life that is inherently incomplete and subject to revision. Many of the facts about a biographical subject's life that are blandly presented in reference books have been discovered by biographers at great cost to their reputations. With the history of biography as a censored genre in mind, he encourages consumers of biography to be critical of the biographies they come across - no matter whether those biographies are book-length narratives or short encyclopedia entries.
In Why Not Me? Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it's falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or, most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you're constantly reminded that no one looks like you.
"Sweet, sassy, and yes-poignant"
In Furiously Happy, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lawson explores her lifelong battle with mental illness. A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety? That sounds like a terrible idea. But terrible ideas are what Jenny does best.
"MANY laugh out loud in my work cubical moments!"
Amy Poehler is hosting a dinner party and you're invited! Welcome to the audiobook edition of Amy Poehler's Yes Please. The guest list is star-studded with vocal appearances from Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers, Michael Schur, Patrick Stewart, Kathleen Turner, and even Amy's parents - Yes Please is the ultimate audiobook extravaganza.
"Listen to this book for sure"
In the spirit of Steve Jobs and Moneyball, Elon Musk is both an illuminating and authorized look at the extraordinary life of one of Silicon Valley's most exciting, unpredictable, and ambitious entrepreneurs - a real-life Tony Stark - and a fascinating exploration of the renewal of American invention and its new makers.
"Interesting and Informative"
Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true. At last, Tina Fey's story can be told....
"Tina Fey broke my new SUV"
"This is your country, this is your world, this is your body, and you must find some way to live within the all of it." In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation's history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of "race", a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men.
"A Heartfelt Self-aware Literary Masterpiece"
The shocking, never-before-told story of the bizarre world inside the legendary Playboy Mansion - and finally the secret truth about the man who holds the key - from one of the few people who truly knows: Hef's former number-one girlfriend and star of The Girls Next Door.
""Mean girls", magicians, mansions, and more!"
Why we think it's a great listen: Seabiscuit was a runaway success, and Hillenbrand's done it again with another true-life account about beating unbelievable odds. On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.....
Based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.
"Interesting man"
Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence "Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I'll shut up about it?"
"If you like Mindy, you'll enjoy this listen."
In the tradition of #Girlboss and Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - a funny, quirky, and inspiring memoir from online entertainment mogul, actress, and "queen of the geeks" Felicia Day about her unusual upbringing, her rise to Internet stardom, and embracing her individuality to find success in Hollywood.
"Felicia Day Is Amazing!"
The film Rabbit-Proof Fence is based on this true account of Doris Pilkington's mother, Molly, who as a young girl led her two sisters on an extraordinary 1,600 kilometre walk home. Under Western Australia's invidious removal policy of the 1930s, the girls were taken from their Aboriginal families at Jigalong on the edge of the Little Sandy Desert, and transported halfway across the state to the Native Settlement at Moore River, north of Perth. Here Aboriginal children were instructed in the ways of white society and forbidden to speak their native tongue.
"Facinating, riveting, and disturbing"
Patrick J. Kennedy, the former congressman and youngest child of Senator Ted Kennedy, details his personal and political battles with mental illness and addiction, exploring mental health care's history in the country alongside his and every family's private struggles.
From the best-selling author of Assassination Vacation and Unfamiliar Fishes, a humorous account of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette - the one Frenchman we could all agree on - and an insightful portrait of a nation's idealism and its reality. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States is a humorous and insightful portrait of the famed Frenchman, the impact he had on our young country, and his ongoing relationship with some of the instrumental Americans of the time.
At 22, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State - and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than "an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise." But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone.
"Glad I Took the Trip"
For many years, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's fans have wondered when he would write a memoir. Well, Wayne has finally done just that! However, he has written it in a way that only he can - with a remarkable take-home message for his longtime followers and new readers alike - and the result is an exciting new twist on the old format. Rather than a plain old memoir, Wayne has gathered together quantum-moment recollections.
"Not seeing so clear"
Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realized. "Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.
"The gift that keeps on giving..."
From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyles kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan ("the devil") and placed a bounty on his head.
"Someone did not do his job or stayed quiet."
Why we think it's a great listen: You thought he was a stodgy scientist with funny hair, but Isaacson and Hermann reveal an eloquent, intense, and selfless human being who not only shaped science with his theories, but politics and world events in the 20th century as well. Based on the newly released personal letters of Albert Einstein, Walter Isaacson explores how an imaginative, impertinent patent clerk became the mind reader of the creator of the cosmos.
"Surprise: Two books in one!"
When Helen MacDonald's father died suddenly on a London street, she was devastated. An experienced falconer captivated by hawks since childhood, she'd never before been tempted to train one of the most vicious predators: the goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk's fierce and feral anger mirrored her own.
"Mabel The Hawk--The Fire That Burned The Hurts Away"
It's only a slight exaggeration to say that the British mathematician Alan Turing (1912-1954) saved the Allies from the Nazis, invented the computer and artificial intelligence, and anticipated gay liberation by decades--all before his suicide at age forty-one. This classic biography of the founder of computer science, reissued on the centenary of his birth with a substantial new preface by the author, is the definitive account of an extraordinary mind and life.
"A Fantastic Biography For The Patient Listener"
The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.
"Brilliant, insightful, intriguing."
Barbarian Days is William Finnegan's memoir of an obsession, a complex enchantment. Surfing only looks like a sport. To initiates it is something else entirely: a beautiful addiction, a demanding course of study, a morally dangerous pastime, a way of life.
"Wishing for a never-end of this book"
Jim Paul's meteoric rise took him from a small town in Northern Kentucky to governor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, yet he lost it all - his fortune, his reputation, and his job - in one fatal attack of excessive economic hubris. In this honest, frank analysis, Paul and Brendan Moynihan revisit the events that led to Paul's disastrous decision and examine the psychological factors behind bad financial practices in several economic sectors.
"Surprisingly Good"
The celebrated 2010 HBO miniseries The Pacific, winner of eight Emmy Awards, was based on two classic books about the War in the Pacific, Helmet for My Pillow and With The Old Breed. Audible Studios, in partnership with Playtone, the production company co-owned by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, and creator of the award-winning HBO series Band of Brothers, John Adams, and The Pacific, as well as the HBO movie Game Change, has created new recordings of these memoirs, narrated by the stars of the miniseries.
"This is the second audio book of Sledge's work"
Few companies in history have ever been as successful and as admired as Google, the company that has transformed the Internet and become an indispensable part of our lives. How has Google done it? Veteran technology reporter Steven Levy was granted unprecedented access to the company, and in this revelatory book he takes listeners inside Google headquarters - the Googleplex - to explain how Google works.
"Clever, honest, and even inspiring"
The celebrated 2010 HBO miniseries The Pacific, winner of eight Emmy Awards, was based on two classic books about the War in the Pacific, Helmet for My Pillow and With The Old Breed. Audible Studios, in partnership with Playtone, the production company co-owned by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, and creator of the award-winning HBO series Band of Brothers, John Adams, and The Pacific, as well as the HBO movie Game Change, has created new recordings of these memoirs, narrated by the stars of the miniseries.
"Engaging Account of the War in "The Pacific""
Universally acclaimed from the time it was first published in 1968, Slouching Towards Bethlehem has been admired for decades as a stylistic masterpiece. Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton (Annie Hall, The Family Stone) performs these classic essays, including the title piece, which will transport the listener back to a unique time and place: the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco during the neighborhood's heyday as a countercultural center.
"Diane Keaton takes California out of Joan Didion"
A stunning look at World War II from the other side.... From the turret of a German tank, Colonel Hans von Luck commanded Rommel's 7th and then 21st Panzer Division. El Alamein, Kasserine Pass, Poland, Belgium, Normandy on D-Day, the disastrous Russian front - von Luck fought there with some of the best soldiers in the world. German soldiers. Awarded the German Cross in Gold and the Knight's Cross, von Luck writes as an officer and a gentleman.
"A compelling look into WW2 from the "other" side"
Based on the Los Angeles Times newspaper series that won two Pulitzer Prizes, one for feature writing and another for feature photography, Enrique's Journey is the timeless story of families torn apart, the yearning to be together again, and a boy who will risk his life to find the mother he loves.
"Missing Chapter 8 and Epilogue!"
This is the story of the rise to national power of a desperately poor young man from the Texas Hill Country. The Path to Power reveals in extraordinary detail the genesis of the almost superhuman drive, energy, and ambition that set LBJ apart. It follows him from the Hill Country to New Deal Washington, from his boyhood through the years of the Depression to his debut as Congressman, his heartbreaking defeat in his first race for the Senate, and his attainment, nonetheless, at age 31, of the national power for which he hungered.
"The Best of all Biographies"
First published in 1979, The White Album records indelibly the upheavals and aftermaths of the 1960s. Examining key events, figures, and trends of the era - including Charles Manson, the Black Panthers, and the shopping mall - through the lens of her own spiritual confusion, Joan Didion helped to define mass culture as we now understand it. Written with a commanding sureness of tone and linguistic precision, The White Album is a central example of American reportage and a classic of American autobiography.
"We tell ourselves stories in order to live..."
Fifteen million Americans a year are plagued with alcoholism. Five million of them are women. Many of them, like Caroline Knapp, started in their early teens and began to use alcohol as "liquid armor", a way to protect themselves against the difficult realities of life. In this extraordinarily candid and revealing memoir, Knapp offers important insights not only about alcoholism, but about life itself and how we learn to cope with it.
What happens when a young Wall Street investment banker spends a small fortune to have lunch with Warren Buffett? He becomes a real value investor. In this fascinating inside story, Guy Spier details his career from Harvard MBA to hedge fund manager. But the path was not so straightforward. Spier reveals his transformation from a Gordon Gekko wannabe, driven by greed, to a sophisticated investor who enjoys success without selling his soul to the highest bidder.
"Malk Williams does a superb job."
In June of I985, while her teenage sons held their half sister down, Theresa Cross beat her I9-year-old daughter, Sheila, unconscious and then stuffed her into a 2' x 2' storage locker. After three days, the knocking, kicking, and cries stopped. Theresa and her sons dumped the girl's body in the desolate High Sierras....
"Shocking true story"
What do Dunkin' Donuts, J. Crew, Toys "R" Us, and Burger King have in common? They are all currently or just recently were owned, operated, and controlled by private equity firms. The New Tycoons: Inside the Trillion Dollar Private Equity Industry That Owns Everything takes the listener behind the scenes of these firms: their famous billionaire founders, the overlapping stories of their creation and evolution, and the outsized ambitions that led a group of clever bankers from small shops into powerhouse titans of capital.
""Modern day Wizards of Oz""
An inspiring story of a modern American icon, here is the first comprehensive account of the life and times of Michelle Obama. With disciplined reporting and a storyteller's eye for revealing detail, Peter Slevin follows Michelle to the White House from her working-class childhood on Chicago's largely segregated South Side. He illuminates her tribulations at Princeton University and Harvard Law School during the racially charged 1980s and the dilemmas she faced in Chicago.
"Not impressed with the writing. "
A landmark in travel writing, this is the incredible true story of Heinrich Harrer's escape across the Himalayas to Tibet, set against the backdrop of the Second World War. Heinrich Harrer, already one of the greatest mountaineers of his time, was climbing in the Himalayas when war broke out in Europe. He was imprisoned by the British in India but succeeded in escaping and fled to Tibet.
In the tradition of New York Times best sellers What Remains by Carole Radziwill and Oh the Glory of It All by Sean Wilsey, Christina McDowell's unflinching memoir is a brutally honest, cautionary tale about one family's destruction in the wake of the Wall Street implosion.
"Mixed reaction"
In Catch a Wave, Peter Ames Carlin pulls back the curtain on Brian Wilson, one of popular music's most revered luminaries, as well as its biggest mystery. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and never-before heard studio recordings, Carlin follows the Beach Boys from their earliest days through Brian's deepening emotional problems to his triumphant re-emergence with the release of Smile, the legendarily unreleased album he had originally shelved.
"for fans, in depth research and good storytelling"


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So we all know how I feel about dental care. I've talked about it a thousand times. So much so that I should probably start a dental care blog. Okay, I'm kidding but you get my drift. I'm pretty serious about dental health and keeping those teeth of mine white so I'm raising my little babe to be the same way. Here's to hoping that she won't ever get a cavity until she's at least in her 20's. A mama can dream, right? While you know the hippie girl in me is all about trying to find natural alternatives to just about everythiiiiiing, one conventional product that I don't mind using is toothpaste. I've been rockin' with Colgate for many years and when I got the opportunity to test drive their Optic White Toothbrush + Built-In Whitening Pen, I was all on board. And a little nervous, too. I suffer from sensitivity issues when I've used whitening products, namely the strips. I felt a little bit better knowing that the product didn't have to sit on my teeth for minutes or hours at a time. In fact using it is as simple as, well…brushing your teeth. [Read more…]
Dental Beauty…For Toddlers!
Beauty starts when you're young, gals. It's true. I am a stickler about healthy teeth and dental care and will raise my wee babelets to be the same way. Through PopSugar and Aquafresh, Elle and I got the opportunity to play with their Training Toothpaste and toothbrush.
And I say "playing" because have you ever tried to stick a toothbrush in a toddler's mouth? It's hard stuff, y'all. Especially when you're dealing with Little Miss Independent. Elle is a lot like me in that she always wants to take control. Even if she doesn't know what she's doing. Haaaa!!!
Hey parental figures, did you know that compared to your tooth enamel, your baby's enamel is 50% thinner? Craziness, right? Since these tiny humans aren't aware of this fact, it is our job to ensure that they not only take it easy on the sweets but that they keep those budding teeth healthy, strong and white. Brushing baby and toddler teeth should happen as soon as their teeth come in. Not only does it get them used to creating healthy habits but it helps their teeth get the best first start. Or so says The little mouth experts ™.
Elle is a big fan of her toothbrush. While she loves nomm'ing on the handle more than anything, I dig how soft the bristles are. The handle is eye-catching enough for even the most distracted toddler and it fits comfortably in her little hands. And she can't get enough of that toothpaste. I also love how the paste is clear and free from random color dyes. Consistency wise, the paste seemed to be perfect for little mouths. A little went a long way and I appreciate that the paste is formula-free. If she could put together a complete sentence, I'm pretty sure Elle would agree that Aquafresh's Training Toothpaste is pretty stellar for a Kid's 1st Toothpaste.
And you know what? I'm a mint girl, myself but I've got to admit, the Apple-Banana flavor isn't half bad. Mamas, papas, Aunts, Uncles, Grams and friends with babes, I'm thinking this toothpaste will be a major hit for the little one in your life. As always, please use product as directed on label.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Aquafresh through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Aquafresh, all opinions are my own.
Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Whitening Pen
I have always believed that after well polished nails, an outfit is not complete without a gorgeous smile. Thanks to the lovely people at Colgate your smile can become even more radiant. Colgate has introduced the Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Whitening Pen which makes brushing and whitening a simple step. I was so excited to receive a sample of this!
The toothbrush is designed remove the surface stains from your teeth and the whitening pen contains hydrogen peroxide which helps cleaning beyond surface stains. The whitening pen is right under the toothbrush so it is convenient and you wont have to worry about losing it.
So now the important – question does it work?
YES! I love this toothbrush whitening pen combo. This is the first whitening product I have used that didn't make my teeth feel super sensitive and afraid to eat right after using. The whitening gel is a little gritty at first, but it dries in seconds and your teeth look whiter and brighter.
After using so many whitening strips, mouthwashes, and whitening molds this is the most convenient whitening product that I have ever used. At $14.99 this toothbrush whitening pen combo is available everywhere and a must have in my beauty book.
So…what do you think? Would you use the Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Whitening Pen to dazzle your smile?
About the Author:
Courtney is the younger sister of Brittany and a 2012 graduate from Florida State University. Courtney loves listening to Katy Perry, nail polish, reading, and a good work-out. She hates peas, lima beans and negativity. She also ate deodorant once because her lovely older sister made her do it. [B's Edit] Follow her on Twitter at @CourtNichelle.
The Time I Made A Mold Of My Teeth…
I've been crazy excited about sharing this with y'all. I've always been pretty serious about dental health but lately, I've gotten a bit well, uh…lazy. I glanced at myself in the mirror some months back, noticed that my usually pretty white smile was just a wee bit dull. Smile Brilliant reached out to me at the perfect time. I got the opportunity to get a custom made tooth mold!
Wait. Did that sound crazy? Because, I felt a bit crazy typing it. By tooth mold I meant "custom fitted whitening trays". Smile Brilliant offers several products but I think their real claim to fame has got to be these things…
Because where else can you find a brand that goes as far as to create a whitening tray for you? It really is the coolest thing. And relatively easy too. You spend spend a few minutes playing scientist, mix some clay, pop 'em in the tray, pop the tray in your mouth, get the mold and mail the mold to Smile Brilliant. In less than 2 weeks, you'll get your trays back and boom, you're ready to get to whitening.
Quick disclaimer, I have had serious issues with whitening products in the past. How do I put this gently? Um…THEY HURT! I'm talkin' I'd rather have a migraine-kinda hurt. I've sworn off of all whitening products but what made me open up to Smile Brilliant is the fact that they have Desensitizing Gel. That's right. A good 15 minutes before application, I can simply use the Desensitizing Gel ahead of time and not have to worry about the pain that comes from teeth whitening.
Also, like a bad blogger, I didn't take before photos. Grrrrr.
How do the molds feel?
Pretty cool, actually. I found them to be comfortable. I was able to talk with them. Ideally, I think they'd be best to use while sleeping, but if you HAD to use them while awake, chances are people will understand what you're saying.
Who are these for?
Anyone with teeth! Seriously. Thanks to genetics and my distaste for coffee, for the most part, my teeth stay pretty white. Overtime, I know that they will dull up a bit and so Smile Brilliant is coming in handy for occasion touch-ups. It is also fantastic for those with yellowing and stained teeth. Don't believe me? Check this out.
Does this kit actually work?
YES! While difficult to notice in my pictures, despite my aggressive flossing (haha, sounds like a band name), I can't seem to whiten up the area between my 2 bottom teeth. Until now. After 2 treatments the Smile Brilliant trays completely whitened up the teeth. Woot!
Okay, B. Sounds good. Is this affordable?
Compared to what your dentist will charge you, this kit is definitely affordable. Keep in mind that it is an investment and getting a mold made ensures that you will be able to use it time after time. The mold plus 1 syringe of whitening gel with run you $89. One syringe will only get you 3 treatments, so I highly recommend getting 6 syringes for $129. Still not bad considering getting this professionally done can cost almost 3x as much.
What is the whitening gel made from?
It is dentist-strength 22% Carbamide Peroxide and comes in 3ml syringes.
I'm a fan and I'm thinking about gifting Esposo with some Smile Brilliant goodies? That isn't bad, is it? Gifting your husband with teeth whitening goodies? Ah well. I am very excited to see what other cool things Smile Brilliant launches in the future. I love brands that stay above the trends.
What do you think? Would you ever try something like this?
Keep Those Teeth Beautiful: Tips for Preventing Tooth Enamel Erosion
Keeping the pout pretty is more than just staying up on the prettiest lip shades. This post is brought to you by Darla Scheidt, the Marketing Director for Grove Dental Associates and she's going to give us the skinny behind a lovely thing called…tooth enamel erosion.
We've been hearing a lot about tooth enamel and what happens when it wears down, or erodes. While most of us are aware of tooth decay, the whole enamel erosion idea has taken some of us by surprise. Though there are many products available to help strengthen tooth enamel, did you know that there are quite a few things that you can do to prevent erosion from happening? Even if you're already seeing signs of tooth enamel erosion, you can still start now to prevent further damage.
Avoid Consuming the Following
There are quite a few things that wear down our tooth enamel and, unfortunately, a lot of them are our favorite foods:
Soft drinks – If it's sweet and has bubbles, it's probably not good for your teeth. The problem isn't just the sugar, it's the acids used in making soda pop. If you must drink it, try to stay away from clear, citrus sodas as they typically have higher acid content than their darker counterparts.
Energy and sports drinks – Though we may need these for a pick-me-up, they are as full of acids as sodas. This includes those energy shots and the drinks that athletes use to replenish electrolytes.
Citrus fruit – This makes sense, as citric acid levels are high in oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes. Don't avoid these completely; rather, try to mix them with other fruits or foods so you can still get the vitamins.
Vinegar – As you may know, vinegar is used as an ingredient in a lot of foods to balance the sweetness since it is acidic. It's so potent that many people use it to clean their homes! Try to avoid foods with a lot of it, such as salad dressing.
Carbohydrates – These aren't only bad for your waist, they're terrible for your teeth! If you eat a lot of refined carbs, you're eating a lot of sugar, which is adept at wrecking your teeth. Try balancing your Pasta Alfredo with a nice salad (minus the vinaigrette dressing!).
There are some other causes of tooth enamel erosion. Try to avoid having dry mouth—if you need to, keep sugarless chewing gum or bottled water on hand. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you can wear down your enamel. See your dentist because he or she may have a suggestion for a small mouthpiece to keep you from doing this.
Acid reflux disease (GERD) can also cause enamel erosion. If you have this condition, make sure to discuss options with your doctor as it can also cause problems with your esophagus.
What to Do If You've Already Had Enamel Loss
First of all, eliminate as many of the causes of tooth enamel erosion as you can. Quit the sugary foods, sodas and any acidic foods and talk to your doctor about other medical conditions that could affect your enamel.
Using toothpaste with fluoride is good for maintaining and strengthening your enamel, and make sure to floss frequently. There are also products on the market, specifically rinses, that may help strengthen your tooth enamel.
Your dentist may have some suggestions for you, which may include prescription solutions to strengthen your enamel. There may also be some procedures that can help strengthen your teeth.
Bonding is a procedure that has become popular in recent years for cosmetic reasons; it's responsible for many of those bright, white "Hollywood" smiles. The process involves covering your teeth with a substance that strengthens them and prevents further damage, helping you to avoid tooth loss.
Crowns have been around for a long time and will protect from further damage; they may be an option for you if there has been some loss of the bony material of your teeth.
About the author:
Darla Scheidt is the Marketing Director for Grove Dental Associates, a successful multi-office, multi-specialty group dental practice in the Chicago western suburbs. With four offices, over 30 doctors and having been in practice for over 40 years, Grove Dental stays on the cutting edge of dentistry to better serve patients.
4 Reasons to Regularly Get Your Teeth Cleaned
This post is brought to you by Periodontist Dr. Joseph Zelig. Thinking of skipping another regularly scheduled dental cleaning? Think again.Poor oral hygiene can lead to more than just cavities and bad breath. Here are four reasons to keep getting regular teeth cleanings and checkups from your dentist.
Detect Dental Problems Early
As with every aspect of health, early detection is key in treatment. During a teeth cleaning, your dentist will probably check the health of your gums, as well as check your mouth for any signs of oral cancer, diabetes or vitamin deficiencies. Your dentist will also examine your face, bite, saliva and the movement of your lower jaw joints. Your dentist will be able to easily detect any cavities, broken fillings or gum disease—and early detections are key for effective treatment.
Prevent Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is caused by the presence of plaque. Plaque is that colorless, bacteria-filled film that adheres to your teeth, as you probably know. What you may not know is that the bacteria in plaque produces toxins that irritate the gums and cause inflammation, leading to gingivitis. Additionally, if plaque stays on your teeth for too long, it hardens into tartar and becomes increasingly difficult to remove. Regular dental cleanings remove any tartar buildup, preventing inflammation as well as preventing the gum tissues from being destroyed and more advanced stages of gum disease to follow. If most problems go untreated, gum surgery, removal of teeth, and root canals become the only options available. Additionally, gum disease has been linked to heart attacks and strokes recently, so healthy gums and teeth could possibly reduce your risk.
Have a Healthy, Bright, White Smile
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, so regular checkups and cleaning will help you hold on to your teeth as long as possible. Missing teeth are unsightly, and getting fake teeth, crowns or veneers is expensive and inconvenient. Additionally, your dentist can remove tobacco, tea, coffee and other stains from food or the like. Your dentist will also polish your teeth as part of a regular cleaning.
Use Your Dental Insurance Plan
If you have a dental insurance plan, it will usually pay for all or most of the cost of dental cleanings and checkups every six months. It is wise to take advantage of this, as regular checkups and a good bill of oral health prevent costly dental procedures for complicated problems down the road. If your dentist diagnoses any problems in your mouth, he or she will devise a treatment plan that will detail the costs of each required procedure and you will be able to discuss financial arrangements. The overall health benefits from regular teeth cleanings should be enough to convince you to keep up the habit. Additionally, dental studies show that about 85% of people with halitosis have a dental problem that is to blame, so good oral hygiene is essential for fresh breath. To make sure that you are keeping up with good oral hygiene, you better not skip that regularly scheduled cleaning!
About the author:
Dr. Joseph Zelig, D.D.S., is a Board Certified Periodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. A practicing periodontist, speaker and educator, Dr. Zelig is currently practicing at Smile in the City located in Manhattan, New York.
Want white teeth? Of course you do!
It's confession time. Are you ready for this one? Okay. Here goes. I haven't been to the dentist in over a year. I've always been a stickler about dental health so my not going is like…a big deal. The good news is, I've already set an appointment with my dentist. I know I've got a cavity or two so I'm already prepared to hear the tongue lashing. I got this tube of Colgate Optic White Dual Action toothpaste to review and while my dentist may chew me out over my cavities, she'll be super impressed with my pearly whites.
It's been awhile since I've tried out a new toothpaste so I was excited about this one. Like the original Colgate Optic White, this toothpaste promises to make your whiter in just 1 week. But not only that, it also promises to keep those teeth shiny. Shiny white teeth? Sign me up!
I probably won't ever do professional dental whitening or bleaching (just doesn't seem safe somehow…) so whitening toothpastes are the closest I will get to super white and bright teeth. Colgate's Optic White is one of my favorite on the market because I feel like it keeps my teeth white and freshens my breath. I've tried some of those toothpastes that claim they'll brighten and freshen but they are usually lacking in one of the departments. And I really like the Crystal Mint flavor of this toothpaste. It's refreshing and long-lasting. Ah yessss. Toothpaste rocks.
And like most toothpastes, you can get a tube of this at your local drugstore or at Target or Walmart. If your beautiful smile is in need of some brightenin', I say give this stuff a try.
Do you whiten your teeth?
My favorite toothpaste has a new flavor. Woot!
I shall premise this post saying I've got a dentist appointment in a few weeks and I am freakin' out. Have I ever told y'all how much I haaate the dentist? The good news is, my hatred for the dentist has resulted in good heath care. The more I take care of my teeth at one, the less painful it will be when I go to the dentist. And sure, I've gone a day without flossing once or twice. But dude, I've only had 2 cavities in my whole life and my dentist swears I do whitening treatments.
Um no. I don't. I just brush with Colgate's Optic White toothpaste.
Remember when I reviewed it last Fall? They're back with a new flavor and I think I dig it more than the original.
I've been using this toothpaste for a while and yes, my teefs are white. Of course I cooooould thank one of my parents as good dental health is genetic. But instead, I'll thank Colgate. 8)
If you find the Cool Mild Mint flavor in your drugstore, snag it up. The fresh breath coupled with the whitening power of hydrogen peroxide kinda rocks.
Dental beauty question! Are you okay with visiting the dentist or are you slightly terrified like me?

subset: commoncrawl


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The glazed lower level of this house by Switzerland's Lake Biel are sandwiched between two concrete slabs, helping to protect living spaces and an outdoor terrace from flooding (+ slideshow). More »
Tag: Swiss houses
Studio Inches raises the roof of a Swiss home to create a lofty living space
The tiled roof of this residence in Switzerland has been raised by one metre to provide extra height for the newly renovated spaces within. More »
Christian Müller converts an Alpine chalet
into a pair of family apartments
Dutch architect Christian Müller has overhauled the interior of a chalet in the Swiss Alps, creating a pair of apartments that combine exposed stone walls with raw concrete and distressed wood. More »
Christian von Düring completes a house designed to function like a bridge
Crooked concrete wall divides Zurich building
by Christian Kerez into semi-detached homes
Villa MM's timber-grille facade echoes
the proportions of surrounding trees
Double-height lengths of unevenly spaced timber have been added to the side of this Swiss house by Feliz Architects, alluding to the shapes of nearby trees and screening the interiors from harsh sunlight (+ slideshow). More »
Concrete house by Nickisch Sano Walder
Architects built from remnants of a log cabin
Split-level house by Kit works
with the slope of the garden
Local Architecture's Confignon House features
concrete walls and a zig-zagging roof
Pascal Flammer's House in Balsthal features
wooden braces and a circular window
This house in northern Switzerland, by local architect Pascal Flammer, frames views of a vast rural landscape through round and rectangular windows, as well as through entire walls of glazing (+ slideshow). More »
House extension with stepping stones leading
inside by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten
House renovation in Saignelégier
by Dubail Begert Architectes
Artificial grass blankets one wall of this renovated house in Switzerland by local studio Dubail Begert Architectes (+ slideshow). More »
Two In One Villa
by clavienrossier
A pitched roof and six walls appear as a single block of concrete around these two residences in Geneva by Swiss architects clavienrossier (+ slideshow). More »
House in Sonvico by
Architetti Pedrozzi e Diaz Saravia
This rural house in Switzerland by local studio Architetti Pedrozzi e Diaz Saravia is raised off the hillside on a pair of gigantic concrete columns (+ slideshow). More »
Private House Bellmund
by EXH Design
This family house in Switzerland by Chinese architects EXH Design has a corner missing from its roof to allow space for a triangular roof terrace (+ slideshow). More »
Two Verandas by
Gus Wüstemann
Swiss architect Gus Wüstemann used raw concrete, oak and travertine to create the smooth walls and floors of this home and poolhouse overlooking Lake Zurich (+ slideshow). More »
Wohnhaus Ginkgo
by on3 architekten
This concrete house in Switzerland by Basel studio on3 architekten has gabled end walls that appear folded along central vertical seams (+slideshow). More »
Holzkristal by
Hurst Song Architekten
This holiday home by Swiss architects Hurst Song Architekten is partly embedded in the steep slopes of the Swiss Alps (+ slideshow). More »
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Globosome: Path of the Swarm Review
- Publisher: Fabian Schaub, Thomas Krueger
- Genre: Action
- Released: 22 May, 2014
- Size: 54.5 MB
- Price: $2.99
- Accurate gyroscope controls
- Beautiful world to explore
- Sweet silent story
- Jumping can be fiddly
- Larger swarms prove unwieldy
Generating a beautiful world with which to interact, Globosome: Path of the Swarm is a joyful experience with only a few minor niggles holding it back from perfection.
- Full Review
- App Store Info
There is something joyous about you first moments with Globosome: Path of the Swarm. Controlling a small spherical creature named Globo, you roll through a vibrant green world, gathering you orb-like buddies as you go.
You control Globo by tilting your device. The accuracy of the gyroscope is fantastic, making the constant corrections you have to make as you trundles over uneven ground easy and instinctive. Nowhere is this accuracy more important than when navigating the mountainous rocky paths that sit high above the clouds. Here, the slightest error can send Globo plummeting to his death. Luckily, the precision the tilt controls allow mean that when death comes, you only have yourself to blame.
Even in more down-to-earth areas, you can't let your concentration slip. In the verdant jungle areas you find yourself controlling a small swarm of Globo's mates. All of the creatures move as one, with a tap of the screen causing them to spring into the air. Some areas require you collect a set number of creatures to move to the next zone. Unfortunately, jumping between plant leaves frequently sees you leaving some behind. This is okay for a short detour to collect an item, but leave one for too long and it will perish.
Hopping your way up floral staircases is especially difficult because, while the gyroscope is responsive, the jump feels a littlke sluggish. Trying to guide a swarm of five creatures to a new plateau is an excruciating process, as invariably one isn't moving fast enough, while another overshoots the target. This slows the process of navigation, bogging down the joyous sense of exploration you feel when the game's at its best.
Globosome: Path of the Swarm is a delightful game of exploration, which tells its simple, wordless tale with skill and affection. Despite a complete absence of voice acting or dialogue, the tale feels poignant thanks to Globo's charming animations and expressive squeaks.Though its momentum based movement clashes at times with the occasionally stodgy jumping, that shouldn't put you off grabbing what is a genuinely delightful mobile experience.
Description"Globosome: Path of the Swarm is a delightful game of exploration, which tells its simple, wordless tale with skill and affection"
"Globosome: Path of the Swarm is a fun game all about exploration and finding your comrades."
"Globosome: Path of the Swarm teaches you the value of having friends."
"Visually stunning exploration game."
***PLEASE NOTE: Globosome is only compatible for and above iPhone 4s, iPad 2 and iPod Touch (5th generation). The game is not compatible with the iPhone 4, iPad 1 and the iPod (4th generation).***
Globosome is an exploratory action adventure in which you are a little spherical being that has lost its swarm.
By feeding on your natural environment, you can replicate into your own swarm. The swarm enables you to accomplish things that would be impossible alone.
* Explore a living, breathing world: Roll through lush jungles, crash into the darkest of ravines and survive a dangerous flora
* Learn new skills over the course of your journey: you learn to jump higher, push objects and replicate faster to reach new places and learn more about the mysterious world of Globosome
* Help your lost Globo: Retrieve your swarm and find your origins
Globosome: Path of the Swarm is based on Sascha Geddert's animated short and the award-winning 2012 original.
* Choose your own controls: Gyro, Touch or Controller
* No advertisement or InApp-Purchase
* Unlock achievements in Game Center and compete in one overall highscore
* Universal app (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch)
* Additional levels and content will follow in updates
Globosome supports game controller for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Controller support requires iOS 7 or higher and is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPad4, iPad Air or later as well as iPod touch (5th generation).
What's New in Version 1.1FREE LEVEL PACK!
Explore new jungle regions with a Globo couple!
- MFi controller support works correctly now
- fixed a graphic bug in the Level Screen on iPhone 5/5s/5c
- fixed a bug that kept the game from unlocking new levels sometimes
- improved the Globo AI
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian


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F1hobbies supplier of radio control models and equipment based here in the UK
Contact us now0845 260 2622 01795 firstname.lastname@example.com
This is the ideal platform for those who are looking for a micro-size quad to take quality photos and video. The small size makes it easier to fly in indoor spaces than other quads.
The Multiplex Rockstar is a biplane, which fascinates with it's power and dynamism. This type of biplane is known for really daring manoeuvres such as snap and point rolls or Trudel.
The large size of the Ethos FPV makes it easy to see in flight and the Aegis 6-axis Flight Stability System (FSS) gives it the control you need to get the quality footage you want.
It comes ready-to-fly straight out of the box and is supplied with proportional 2.4GHz radio equipment that controls throttle, elevator and rudder. The transmitter includes a built-in charger for the model's 1S LiPo battery.
The DogFighter SR is the ideal model for club races, dogfights season or flights with colleagues. It has tremendous speed range and always remains safe and comfortable to control.
The Volition 2WD Short Course Truck offers speed, durability and value unheard of in his class. Waterproof 6g servo gives crisp steering response while the high grip, long wear tires keep you hooked up over a multitude of surfaces.
The Spidex is a RTF (Ready-To-Fly) product which means it arrives 100% factory-assembled with almost everything you need in the box. Along with the uniquely designed, durable airframe you get a 2.4GHz 4-channel transmitter, a 180mAh 1-cell 25C Li-Po battery for long flight times and a USB charger for convenient charging from any USB plug-in. Just add the AA batteries to power the transmitter and you'll be making your first flight within minutes of opening the box!
Whether you're looking to advance from your first CX heli or quad, or you're an experienced heli pilot looking for some flying fun around the house, the Ares Optim 80 CP is the product for you.
The Ares Optim 80 CP comes factory-assembled, powered by a coreless motor and a 150mAh 25C battery. Also included is a 2.4GHz transmitter, and a power cord that allows you to charge conveniently from the AA transmitter batteries that come with your purchase.
The Flash 7 is the latest in Hitec's line of aircraft computer radios for beginners and experts alike. With advanced built-in AFHSS / SLT flexibility, impressive 4096 resolution and ultra-low latency, this affordable, feature-packed combo brings ease of use and incredible functionality to all pilots. The Flash 7 allows you to store up to 20 models and has full telemetry capability to help you keep your finger on the pulse of all your models.
The Impakt 12B caged, off-road buggy offers speed, durability and a value unheard of in its class. A 2.4 GHz 2-channel radio system eliminates frequency conflicts, while the 380 brushed motor churns out blistering acceleration and incredible speeds in excess of 20mph. Constructed from lightweight, yet strong material, the fully independent suspension and coil-over friction damper shocks support the chassis through off-road terrain.
The Dominus 10SCv2 4×4 Short Course Truck offers speed, durability and value unheard of in its class. A 2.4 GHz 3-channel radio system eliminates frequency conflicts, while the 3500kv Reaktor brushless motor churns out blistering acceleration and incredible top speeds in excess of 30mph through the beefy shaft based all metal gear transmission. Constructed from lightweight yet strong material, the fully independent suspension and oil filled shocks soak up even the worst terrain.
Software V3.04 adds the facility to display up to eight sensor values on the transmitter screen, as well as introducing a number of changes in response to requests from Cockpit pilots. This system now offers more than any other radio control system in it's class!
Multiplex models are easy to fly, and the instructions supplied with all our aeroplanes include accurate, reliable information on set-up values.
The exciting all-new KDS 450QS is the first of a new generation of ready-built high performance helicopters from the experts at KDS. Every component of this amazing new helicopter has been the subject of the most up-to-date computer aided design, with the core emphasis on providing maximum performance, minimising weight and increasing strength and stiffness wherever possible.
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Industry leading Mortgage Business Intelligence (MBI)
Motivity Solutions' mortgage business intelligence delivers real time, powerful analytics enabling mortgage lenders to proactively monitor and manage operations across their enterprise. Dashboards, key performance metrics, and drillable reporting provide key executive insight to effectively execute strategic initiatives in sustaining peak performance levels and, when necessary, change course with fluid movements to maintain leadership position in the industry.
Why Choose Us?
Mortgage Technology Magazine Top 50 Service Provider
For six years running (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Motivity Solutions has been recognized as one of the mortgage industry's top 50 service providers by Mortgage Technology Magazine.
Award Winning Business Intelligence
Motivity Solutions is recognized as the leading provider of business intelligence for the mortgage industry. Movation has been adopted by many of the top lending institutions.
In 2012, Motivity Solutions was ranked 210th fastest growing company by Inc. Magazine in addition to being named to the Top 250 Private Companies for 2012 by ColoradoBizMagazine and a 2011 Colorado Company to watch by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Since inception, Motivity has been consistently recognized as a top technology provider within the mortgage industry.
Software built by Mortgage Bankers for Mortgage Bankers
Motivity's founders learned the complexities of the mortgage industry from the inside. Having owned and subsequently sold one of the largest privately held mortgage companies in the US, Motivity's unique advantage lies in a comprehensive understanding of the lending process and the ability to provide out-of-the-box mortgage business intelligence software that can be quickly implemented and easily configured to work with your existing systems and processes.
Previous lending experience has shortened and/or eliminated the learning curve associated with the software implementation process positioning Motivity Solutions as the top business intelligence provider to the Mortgage Industry.
Recent News
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by Jon Maynell | VP of Client Services If you've been reading this column…
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The Farmer
I met with a student on Tuesday for a prayer walk, just a few hours after I had been feeling anxious and overwhelmed by all that needed to be done by next week.
We read this from Mark:
He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29 (NIV)
As we discussed what we could learn about the kingdom of God from the parable, we came to the role of the farmer. He scatters, trusts, waits, and identifies the right time to harvest.
Just as the farmer was attentive to the growth of the plant, we need to be attentive to what God is doing around us, identifying our role/responsibility in the process.
Praying that God would open our eyes to those around us, we made our way over to her department. As we walked through the halls, we prayed for those whose offices we passed by. She introduced me to a number of people from her department, including a postdoc that she just recently found out is also a Christian.
We ended at her empty office, praying for success in her research and a better relationship with her office mate. We sat to debrief the prayer walk, and she realized how large her network was; she knew by name nearly everyone we passed in the halls. As we talked further, it became clear that her next step was to seek out and pursue relationships within her department, made easier by the fact that many grad students eat lunch together in the lounge every day.
God answered our opening prayer; he opened her eyes to the community in her department, and invited her to step further into it. It's not often that I call Lindsay immediately after a meeting with a student, but I was so excited and encouraged that I couldn't wait to tell her!
Hebrews 4:12 begins: "For the word of God is alive and active," and I saw that on Tuesday. This parable applied well to the prayer walk, and our eyes were open to the opportunities in her department. But when the same text is used in a different application in my life, Hebrews 4:12 rings that much more true.
Our planting coach, Sarah, was praying for me the following day, and the same parable came to mind for her. The farmer was not anxious in his sleep; he was able to trust that his crop would grow – mysterious as that process may be. Sarah prayed that I would be able to let go and trust God in what he is doing, and that we would have eyes to see how things have grown in the times that we're not working. It was a powerful reminder of who really is in control, and that I need to keep trusting and keep putting him first.
Just as this student was challenged in mission through the parable of the growing seed in exactly the way that she needed, I was ministered to by the same parable, just as I needed. God's Word is truly active and alive. Praise God!
Training, Visiting, and a Wedding
Two weeks ago we left for a two-week "vacation". Most of the two weeks weren't really vacation (although not having to cook for two weeks made it feel that way) since we spent one week in Madison, WI, for training with InterVarsity and half of the next week visiting supporters (which also felt like vacation… we love getting to spend time with people!). The last part of our trip was spent in northern Ohio, visiting part of Hans' extended family and attending his cousin's wedding.
The training we attended was for planting an international InterVarsity chapter* at Michigan Tech. We've been trying to get something going for the past few years, and the training we received is going to help make that happen. We were matched with a coach (another InterVarsity staff who has experience planting a chapter) and were brought through several cycles of activities to help us really see how we can grow a student group that multiplies itself.
Our biggest takeaway from the week in Madison?
Students are seeds to be scattered, not sheep to be gathered.
Saying Goodbye to Grandpa
May was not the month I was expecting. We entered the month with crazy end of the semester life while Hans, Caleb, and I experienced bouts of the flu. Then it got a little crazier…
Hans left for his first week of Chapter Focus Week on May 2, the same morning the boys and I left for Minnesota to spend most of the week with my parents. While we were there my grandpa went to the hospital when his defibrillator zapped him 30 times or so in a few hours. He was life-flighted to Duluth (at 10pm) and I woke up the next morning to find out that my parents were both in Duluth (and had been all night). Two days later my grandpa went home from the hospital, to die.
It was a good week, but a hard week. The boys and I extended our stay and spent the next days with the whole family crammed into the two small rooms in my grandparents' assisted living apartment. I left Minnesota to come home on Monday, May 11th, knowing I would never see my grandpa alive on earth again, and the next morning he passed away.
I am so thankful that we were there before my grandpa went to the hospital. We had two wonderful visits with my grandparents before Grandpa got sick, and lots of good time with the whole family after that.
We travelled back to Minnesota the following week for the funeral, and I gave the eulogy. I thought I would post it here, in memory of my grandpa.
Looking around, I know that many of you knew Gene as a friend. A few called him Dad… and some of us knew him as Grandpa. I want to share with you what Grandpa meant to us – sharing some of my memories of him and some memories that I have received from my cousins. Read More…
One Month Old
On Sunday Elliot was one month old. It seems like he has been a part of the family for a long time, yet it's only been a little over four weeks. (Of course, some of that feeling probably comes from the fact that I'm not sleeping more than three hours at a time…) We've been asked over and over how we're adjusting to being a family of four (rather well, if you're curious), and I've been pleasantly surprised at how little stress I feel compared to when Caleb was a baby. At least, I don't have nearly as much of the "am I doing it right?" stress. I'm learning that having a second baby brings different kinds of stresses and joys than the first baby.
For example:
- Less Sleep
Common sense tells me that I'm going to sleep less now that there's another child in the house, but for some reason I was surprised by how tired I've been. It actually took a week or two for me to realize that I'm more tired because I nap less with Elliot than I did when Caleb was a baby. Little sleep heightens my emotions, so it's been a little bit of a roller coaster ride.
- The Big Brother
I wasn't sure how Caleb would adjust to being a big brother, but he is doing great and is a big help. For example, when we were at church this morning for Bible study, some of the other kids were trying to rock Elliot in his carseat and Caleb got upset – trying to push the other kids away, saying "he's my baby". While I don't want him to be too possessive of Elliot or get jealous because the other kids are trying to help, I love that he has started to bond with his little brother.It's definitely been different juggling caring for a baby with caring for a preschooler, and sometimes I feel guilty because I think I'm not interacting with Elliot enough, but then I see Caleb run up and sing Elliot a song because he is crying. That's been a reminder that Elliot doesn't just have Hans and I – he has a big brother, too!
- New Parent Stress
Like I said above, this time around I have felt much less of the "am I doing it right?" stress since a lot of the actions of caring for a new baby seemed to come back naturally – I have just enjoyed taking care of the baby instead of worrying about doing it "right". But Elliot has been a gassy baby from day one, and has had a lot of pain (and therefore, lots of crying). The stressful part is trying to figure out what to do to help him feel better. He was put on medicine to help with reflux, but the medicine seems to make it worse, so we'll see what the doctor says.
I could keep coming up with differences, but it doesn't matter. Elliot is a different child than Caleb and I am enjoying having him in our family. It will be fun to see how he is like his big brother and how he is different as the days and weeks progress. And it will be fun to continue to see Caleb and Elliot's relationship grow, too!


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Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
The Giants battered four Cubs pitchers to the tune of 12 runs on 17 hits, en route to a 12-6 victory in AZ Instructional League action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this afternoon.
2009 4th round pick LHP Chris Rusin (U. of Kentucky) got the start, and had an easy ten-pitch 1-2-3 1st inning (two strikeouts and a ground out). The Giants then scored twice in the second on two singles and a double, although Rusin only had to throw 12 pitches (total) in that inning. Rusin had another easy 13-pitch 3rd, striking out two more around a single, while catcher Jae-Hoon Ha gunned down a potential base-stealer with a picture-perfect throw to shotstop Hak-Ju Lee's glove as the base-runner tagged himself out for the 3rd out of the inning. (BTW, Hak-Ju Lee was named the top prospect in the Northwest League by Baseeball America today).
Jae-Hoon Ha was a catcher in high school in South Korea, but the Cubs moved him to the outfield immediately after signing him to take advantage of his speed and athleticism. But he (Ha) looks OK behind the plate--certainly better than recent converts Jovan Rosa or (especially) Brandon May have looked so far, and it will be interesting to see if the Cubs used Ha more as a catcher now that Matt Cerda has apparently been moved to 2B full-time
As for Chris Rusin, the 22-year old is a polished college lefty, with a full array of pitches in his arsenal and an ability to work fast and throw strikes. Rusin is the type of guy who should move quickly through the Cubs system at least until his stuff gets challenged and tested at AA. So I would not be surprised one bit if Rusin jumps from Boise to Daytona on Opening Day 2010, with a possible mid-season promotion to AA if he proves that he has mastered Advanced-A by that time.
Peoria RHP Chris Archer (one of three young pitchers the Cubs acquired from Cleveland for Mark DeRosa last off-season) pitched the 4th & 5th innings, and while he didn't walk anybody, he did labor through both innings, throwing 29 pitches in each inning while allowing four runs on six hits. Not a good outing for Archer.
Dominican RHP Julio Pena threw the next two innings and had an OK outing, but then Venezuelan RHP Eduardo Figueroa got clobbered in the 8th and 9th (allowing five runs on three singles, a double and a home run, a walk, and an HBP), as the Giants salted the game away
AA Tennessee Smokies 2B Tony Thomas and CF Brandon Guyer got starts today, and Guyer had a nice game, reaching base three times, including a double and a triple, plus a sacrifice fly RBI. Thomas went hitless, but did score a run after reaching base on a FC.
It's unusual for AA guys to get assigned to Instructs, but in the case of Guyer and Thomas, it's to work on parricular aspects of their game. In the case of Guyer, it's a Strength & Conditioning Program designed to help him develop more strength and power, and for Thomas, it's a crash course in base-stealing with Organizational Base-Running Instructor Bobby Derrnier.
Guyer showed some signs of driving the ball today, as he slammed a double and a triple, while also making an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch while running full-bore toward dead-center. Guyer reminds me of Reed Johnson or Eric Byrnes (pre-torn hamstring), playing all-out on every play and leaving it all on the field. If he could add some XBH to his gear bag, he could be an MLB OF.
Tony Thomas reached base only once today (on a FC), and he did attempt to steal 2nd once he did reach base, but Guyer fouled the pitch off. Then Thomas advanced to 2nd on a Wild Pitch before he could take another shot at stealing 2nd base.
20-year old LF Runey Davis had a nice day at the plate today, with a single, a double, and a triple, and a hard line-drive out to RF in his last AB. Davis was the Cubs 12th round pick out of NJCAA National Champion Howard JC (which beat fellow Cub Trey McNutt's Shelton State club to win the 2009 National JC title), but he struggled at the plate at both Mesa and Boise this Summer. Davis started his college career at the University of Texas before transferring to Howard JC, and would have transferred to Mississippi State if he hadn't signed with the Cubs
And Bobby Wagner smacked a solo home run over the RF fence with one out in the bottom of the 5th. The 23-year old Wagner was the Cubs 38th round draft pick this past June. A native of British Columbia, Wagner played JC ball in at Panola JC in Texas in 2009. The 6'3 left-handed hitting 3B-LF has plus-power, but he strikes out a lot and is a poor defender no matter where he plays (he is a "natural" 3B, but LF is his best position if he can't DH). Because of his age, he could (like Rusin) jump past Peoria and move from Boise to Daytona in 2010.
Cubs Organizational Infield Instructor Franklin Font continues to work with 2009 #2 draft pick D. J. LeMahieu (LSU) on Field #5 (the "half field" located north of the clubhouse), as the Cubs try to teach LeMahieu the proper way to turn the DP, especially from the 2B position. He was apparently never forced to learn this at LSU, so now he has to learn the technique at the pro level. It's fairly obvious that the Cubs would prefer that LeMahieu play either SS or 2B (preferably 2B), since he has not (yet) displayed the power required of a third-baseman or a corner outfielder, and since be doesn't have any experience playing CF (the other position for which he might have some aptitude).
And speaking of CF, #1 draft pick Brett Jackson (Cal) is progressing with his rehab (sore wrist) and should return to the lineup sometime next week, joining 2009 11th round pick LHP John Mincone (missed three months after June shoulder surgery) and 2008 4th round pick 2B Matt Cerda (missed three months with a broken hand) as recent additions on the Instructs Active Roster. (While Hak-Ju Lee was named the Northwest League's #1 best prosprect by Baseball America today, BA named Jackson the 3rd best prospect in the NWL).
RHP Dae-Eun Rhee (2008 TJS) is still not throwing in Instructs games, although he is participating in daily PFP drills. Rhee made a few rehab appearances at Mesa and Boise at the end of the season, but struggled with his control and got hammered when he did throw strikes (9.35 ERA and 2.08 WHIP). Hopefully Rhee will be back close to 100% in 2010.
Fellow Korean RHP Su-Min Jung returned to South Korea in August to attend college so he is not at Instructs, but he is expected back at Fitch Park next Spring.
Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only): .
1. Hak-Ju Lee, SS: 2-4 (1B, 3-U, L-4, 1B)
2. Tony Thomas, 2B: 0-4 (K, F-8, 6-3, 4-6 FC), R
3. Brandon Guyer, CF: 2-3 (K-WP, 3B, 2B, F-9 SF), R, RBI
4. Jovan Rosa, 1B: 2-3 (6-4-3 DP, HBP, 1B, 1B), R, 2 RBI
5. Justin Bour, DH #1: 1-4 (4-3, 4-6-3 DP, L-6, 2B), RBI
6a. Jae-Hoon Ha, C: 0-1 (P-1)
6b. Sergio Burruel, C: 0-3 (P-6, 3-1, K)
7. Bobby Wagner, 3B: 1-4 (P-5, HR, K, K), R, RBI
8. Runey Davis, LF: 3-4 (2B, 1B, 3B, L-9), R
9. Dong-Yub Kim, DH #2: 0-4 (6-3, 6-3, 6-3, K)
10. Blair Springfield, RF: 1-3 (K, K, 1B), R
1. Chris Rusin - 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 35 pitches (27 strikes)
2. Chris Archer - 2.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 58 pitches (43 strikes)
3. Julio Pena - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 44 pitches (31 strikes)
4. Eduardo Figueroa - 2.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 38 pitches (26 strikes)
1. Chris Rusin (E-1) - overthrow at 1B on pick-off atemnpt with no outs in top of the 2nd, allowing runner to advance from 1st to 3rd.
2. Bobby Wagner (E-5) - bobbled chopper hit to 3B, allowing batter to reach base with two outs and runners at 1st & 2nd in the top of the 6th.
Jae-Hoon Ha - 1-2 CS, 1 PB
Sergio Burruel - 0-1 CS
Blair Springfield - threw out batter-runner 9-3-4 trying to advance to 2nd base after throw to plate was cut-off by first-baseman on RBI single to RF
WEATHER: breezy & sunny, mid-90's (cold front moved through town)
ATTENDANCE: 17 (mostly scouts)
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
wayne mesmer makes len not-so-nerdy in comparison. amazing.
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
Yeah, he took "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" wayy too seriously.
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
Hey E-Man, "How Cold Was It"?
Gregg blames knee for 2009
''If teams are going to look at me to close, they know I can close,'' he said. ''To have the ups and downs this year after my surgery was to be expected, really. And looking forward to coming into a completely healthy year ready to go for next year, I'm excited about that.
''It'll be nice to go through a year where I don't have to basically go through rehab on my knee as I go, and being back to where I was last year until I hurt my knee.''
Ryno meeting with Cubs after season
On WSCR Ryno meeting with Cubs after season regarding next year.(not unusual)
But I believe he will be named bench coach for the Cubs. Two reasons for this, to learn how a MLB team works and to replace Lou by May if team is underachieving again.
Here's a cool catch by a Twins fan showing Joe Mauer tipping pitches to his batter when on second base.
Re: Ryno meeting with Cubs after season
That's a great video. Laird knew it was happening, he needed to get his ass out to the mound.
Re: Ryno meeting with Cubs after season
I heard the lengthy interview on my way downtown with Ryno. As jacos states -
He would like to hear something from management as to where he fits in their plans. Much arguing among the co-hosts whether:
1. he is ready to manage at the big league level now
2. could/would he be named bench coach under Lou's tutelege
3. yes he's had success at AA, but...
4. what if he gets an non-Cub mlb job offer this off season? - does the team miss out
5. is Lou someone you WANT to learn under? (a caller made this point - noting this year's asleep-at-the-wheel style)
6. Sandberg discussed some of his work-ethics and bringing this to all of his players. Running the bases hard, "little things", NL managing style of double-switches, etc. But - no one asked how he could handle multi-millionaires.
It was then agreed that "No manager could handle Carlos Zambrano. He's a "crazy man"."
Re: Ryno meeting with Cubs after season
My only worry would be if Ryno was too soft.
Re: Ryno meeting with Cubs after season
why is it a big deal at all? will people learn the sky is blue tommorow?
Re: Ryno meeting with Cubs after season
the sky is blue tommorow?
Red sky in morning, sailor's warning
and then there's the David Gilmour song:
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
Anybody know why Colvin has been shut down for the rest of the season?
If there hasn't been anything in the papers or blogs, I'm going to guess that he complained about his throwing elbow. Just a guess, I'm not trying to start a rumor. A couple of those throws from the warning track in Milwaukee looked a little strenuous.
Sorry for the OT comment...
Apparently the 2016 Olympics will be the last ever as we witness the demise of humankind according to Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara.
On that note, I hope it goes to Chicago! :D
Re: Sorry for the OT comment...
Dude - have you ridden the El lately?
I cannot imagine another 500,000 riding on it during the summer.
Re: Sorry for the OT comment...
I don't live in Chicago.
More on Milty
" What is it about Cubs right-fielders wearing No. 21 and their fondness for forcing teammates to listen to their music?"
Paul Sullivan says Milton Bradley considered himself the clubhouse DJ.
Re: More on Milty
1. What is it about people caring what's on the clubhouse stereo? Unless he was playing the Big Boys or something, that'd be cool.
2. "And since when is it my job to root for 'our very own players?'" Well, gee, Paul, you certainly take it upon yourself to root against some players, so your correspondent can be forgiven for assuming your partisanship (but not for his original dopey point).
3. "The Cubs have spent a lot of money the last few years, and most of it was wasted money." Incorrect.
Re: More on Milty
Still making excuses for Milton Bradley. Whatev'
Re: More on Milty
the most important line in that column..
The Cubs are not looking to replace Ryan Theriot at shortstop next year,
throw-in that Blanco started at 2b yesterday with Theriot at short and I think it's safe to assume a 2bmen, not SS will be on the offseason radar.
Tonight's game...
I thought Thursday's were getaway days, why the night game?
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
The Reds are getting their asses handed to them today. Carpenter hit a Grand Slam. You would think they would rest him. I guess The Genius is not above pettiness. Afterall, they "Play the Game the Right Way."
F those guys. Onward 2010.
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
Huh? Why would they rest him? They can still get home field advantage.
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
I think the dumbest thing for baseball teams to do is to rest their players, start handing out days off, skip people in the rotation, and generally mess with what you have done all season.
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
That's the dumbest thing for a baseball team to do? You've obviously never seen a baseball team a. sign Enrique Wilson, and b. put him in the lineup v. the Yankees because "he's had experience hitting in Yankee Stadium".
I kid, I kid.
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
b. put him in the lineup v. the Yankees
I went to all 3 games in that series. It was maximally dumb.
Dusty being Dusty, etc. Going for the high OBP guys at the top of the order.
6-17-05 lineup:
Neifi, CPat, DLee, Burnitz, ARam, Walker(DH), Hollandsworth, Blanco and Wilson
Z was very shaky but they came from behind from 4-0 to go ahead 6-4 before Ohman iced that cake, he got the loss AND a blown save (just to make E-Man's day)
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
taguchi is still on our roster?
i forgot about him and then some. batting 2nd, playing for bobby scales in LF.
Rainout looming
according to Muskat...
Re: Rainout looming
Samardzija wishes Muskat was right...
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
ninja throws decent stuff...too bad a lot of it is right over the plate.
looks pretty, though. =p
Re: Giants Hitters Teach Cubs Pitchers a Thing or 12
I wish they'd just let the guy be what he is.....
He was effective out of the Pen last year. Let him stay in the pen where he only needs 1 or 2 pitches. Square peg/round hole.
Recent comments
Its not official until AZ Phil adds him to the Cubs Depth Chart!
Just freakin love it!
From Keith Law:
This from a Kiley McDaniel chat a couple weeks ago...
"Comment From Wrenzie
Who has more ceiling between Yusniel Diaz or Eddy Julio Martinez?
Kiley McDaniel: Martinez. I have Eddy (20 years old) as a 65 runner with a 55 arm and 50 raw power that profiles as an everyday CF that could be above average depending on if the bat is a 45 or a 55. I have Yusniel (19) as a 60 runner with a 55 arm and 40 raw power that can be an everyday guy if he hits enough (50 or 55)."
"Per Jesse Sanchez at mlb.com, Cubs reportedly have signed 20-year old Cuban OF Eddy Julio Martinez for $3M bonus.
Arizona Phil 7 hours 23 min ago"
it's day old news, and it's got nothing to do with the cubs, but ichiro signed a $2m deal with MIA (with a $2m option for 2017).
neat. 41 years old and damn close to 3000 hits.
also, rain delays suck.
take that giants
I think that if a team objects to the 1-game wildcard playin game so much, they could just win the pennant and avoid themselves the trouble.
Per Jesse Sanchez at mlb.com, Cubs reportedly have signed 20-year old Cuban OF Eddy Julio Martinez for $3M bonus.
BLOCK: Of course any advantage is an advantage. An MLB, NBA, or NHL team getting the extra game at home in a seven game series is an advantage, I just don't think it is enough of an advantage for winning a division and/or having the best record in a conference or league over the course of an 82-game season (NBA and NHL) or 162 game series (MLB).
TEX takes the opening game from TOR (@TOR) 5-3.
TOR lost bautista + donaldson in-game due to injuries...TEX lost beltre...dunno if any will be lingering issues leading to missed games.
Ride the Kid Magic! Schwarber hadn't homered in a long time before last night.
Greg Maddux was 8-18 in his rookie season. Kyle has the 8 wins down pat.
Think Baby Maddux.
Prof. Harold Hill's THINK system at work.
Kyle is on the far left.
I support this. Hendricks has not only looked better lately but seems to start struggling after a few innings which is better than the 1st in the playoffs.
Just tweeted via Jesse Rogers: Hendricks starting Game 2. Wow. Just wow.
That was good!


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Ride (depending on the season) to somewhere and do something... fly a kite, play darts, picinic, or hang on a patio (if the weather permits) and chat..
First dates for me would have to be something casual and fun. Coffee, drinks, lunch, dinner, walk on the beach, go carting. Anything that doesn't make us feel uncomfortable.
Meet, take a ride and then take it from there...
Maybe dinner and a movie or a nice bonfire maybe grill and cuddle up on the couch with a good movie.
Hmm..I will probably want to have a three-course dinner
I like riding around, taking in the scenery and having a laugh while doing so.
grab lunch and drinks then do whatever
Golf- mini or regular, Bowling, Broncos or Rockies game, a ride along a scenic highway, or just up to Estes for lunch. Pool, darts. Really anything where we can talk and laugh!
Dating Idea: To just meet somewhere to talk and see where it goes from there.
A ride? A museum? A ride to a museum?
Or coffee... Or boba.. Probly that, and plan the next encounter.
Wing it. Whatever happens, "Let the rough side drag." lol
Meet for coffee, a drink, or lunch. Something casual low-key and public where we can talk and get to know each other.
I love the beach and I love spontaneous!
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Atlanta Botanical Garden
5:30-10 PM (5:00PM entry for VIP Ticket Holders)
The Atlanta Cheese Festival was established to celebrate and promote artisan cheese and specialty food producers from across the globe. We value the traditions and original recipes these producers strive to keep alive. By sharing this group of artisans with the Atlanta community, we can help preserve their sustainable practices, respect for animals and the land they use to create their products while protecting the environment for future generations. They excel beyond the standard, are the best in the industry and take pride in giving their customers the best culinary experience with each and every cheese and food product they make. We are proud to share this esteemed group with our local community.
Early Entrance into Festival.
Swag Bag, Bourbon Pairing Seminar, 2 Drink Tickets
Early Entrance into Festival
Swag Bag, Wine Pairing Seminar, 2 Drink Tickets
Early Entrance into Festival.
Swag Bag, Beer Pairing Seminar, 2 Drink Tickets
Includes entrance into Atlanta Botanical Garden
and Drink Ticket
Early Entrance into Festival.
Swag Bag, Champagne Pairing Seminar with
Cheese Chaser's-Will Studd, 2 Drink Tickets
*Pre-sale tickets only. Tickets will not be available at the door.


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If you don´t want to spend your days on a boat, to visit many of the beaches in Ilha grande you should be mentally prepared for lots of trekking.....there are many trails in the island, some very easy, others exaustive, but they are all worth the effort!!!
One famous trail is the one from the beach of Abraão to the beach called Lopes Mendes...the terrain, just like many other paths there, is very irregular with lots of ups and downs, but with a privileged view from above...it´s difficult to get lost, there are many signs along the way...During the hike you´ll visit wonderfull beaches in the way, like Praia Brava, Praia das palmas, Praia do Pouso. It takes for about 3hours each way, and 7 km.
There´s also the trek from Abraão to Dois Rios, 7 km each way in an old road, and the path from Abraão to Pico do Papagaio, an ascent to a peak 980meters high, which is known to be a bit tiring but with a spectacular view...and if you are not tired...there are others!!! many others!!! =)
So, prepare your boots!!!!
- National/State Park
- Backpacking
- Hiking and Walking
Vila do Abraão...walking along the shore
The bay in Abraão is very peaceful, the water is really clean, if you are not interesting on hiking that day you can spend time on the beach of Abraão without a problem, and the view of the boats constantly floating near the shore is romantic....hohohoh
A good way to relax is walking along the beach at the end of the afternoon...watching the boats, at your front you´ll have the splendid sea, and behind, the little village below the mountains and Pico do Papagaio (=Parrot´s Peak), a peak that has the exact form of a parrot.
- National/State Park
Vila do Abraão
This is the main village in the island, where most of the boats arrive...it´s small, simple, but very oganized and it has everything: little markets, bakeries, police, cybercafes, mail, churches, pubs and restaurants scattered all over and of course, lots of lodging sites, including camping....
From the village you will find many travel agencies offering guidance and boat tours....there is also a map in the main square, showing the trekking sites and the alternative paths.....
If you don´t want to stay in Abraão, there is Provetá, a village located on the other side of the island...
- National/State Park
- Hiking and Walking
- Backpacking
Lopez Mendes
You can go there walking or by boat. Or if you want you can go by walk and return by boat ( pay attention, because there are another spots you cannot make only one way by boat...)
In Lopez Mendez you will find a vast beautiful beach and good waves for surfers.
Sea Kayaking
Ilha Grande is one of the few places on earth that disallows cars. There are no paved roads, only hiking trails, beaches, and wide-open sea. Sea Kayaking is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with Ilha Grande and meditate against the backdrop of its beautiful, uplifting sights and sounds. It is also an amazing workout for the upper body working the triceps, biceps, chest, forearms, abdomen
- Kayaking
Lagoa Verde &/or Lagoa Azul
If you are a swimmer, the water in these locations is heavenly! The snorkeling is admittedly not great, but you can jump off of the side of one of the tour boats and see some little yellow fish or a starfish and then float...
- Diving and Snorkeling
Spot a monkey
While walking the rainforests of Ilha Grande, it is entirely possible to see one of the many species of monkey that make the island their home. Tamarins and Marmoset are in the monkey family and are only found in Brazil. They can be seen easily if you walk quietly through the rainforest with wide eyes. I had the opportunity to see them twice and had no idea what a rare gift it was until I came home and did some research. Most of these little guys are on the endangered species list and at present are only found in Southern Brazil.
- Jungle and Rain Forest
Japariz is the little beach that many of the tour boats will take you to as a starting point for the hike to Lopes Mendes. It is a shame that most people fly through, buying a bottle of water for their trip at the little bar on the beach because it is a sweet little yellow sand beach with palm trees and a little straw bar that is open in the early morning and serves caipirinhas all day.
- Beaches
The white horse
This is not a must see activity, but it's something that I kept on my mind. When you get off the ferry, the first thing you'll see is a white horse on a small square right on your left hand side. It's there. It doesn't move, but it's alive. And I saw it everyday. Don't know to whom it belongs, but that's it's parking space. I saw it, and some friends that went last year saw it too. So if you ever go to Ilha Grande, and see the white horse, please write back!!!
Lagoa Azul
To get to this beach, you've got to get on a tour, or ask a local man to take you. I'd recommend the tours, which stop on the beaches on the way, so you can have a nice swim.
Lagoa Azul is not actually a lagoon. Is just a very deep beach, that takes an intense blue/green color, that makes pictures look their best. It's an amazing place to have a swim.
- Beaches
- Diving and Snorkeling
Lopes Mendes
I've seen lots of beautiful beaches on my trips. But Lopes Mendes, is definately my favorite. It's an amazing beach, 7 km long, with absolutely nothing. It's a virgin island with nothing else than you and maybe some other 10 persons. The water is magnificent, clear and warm. The sand is like flour, white and soft. If you go in the water you'll be able to see colorful fish around you. It's a must.
Now, there are 2 ways to get to this beach: by foot or by boat. I'd recommend going by foot, but it's a 3 hour walk. The hike itself is quite beautiful, as you'll pass different hills where you get an amazing view of the island. You'll see different beaches and you'll pass through a jungle. Then, the price it's at the end: the beautiful beach. I'd recommend going early, so you can relax all day long. There's no water or eating places at the beach, so bring what you'll need.
If you go by boat, you can rent it at the town. They're very cheap. What we did, and what I'd recommend, is that we talked to a boatman, told him to pick us up at a certain time at the beach (not exactly Lopes Mendes, but one very close, 10 minutes away), and we walked TO Lopes Mendes, but then we came back by boat.
- Diving and Snorkeling
- Hiking and Walking
- Beaches
going back home from the island
while u are on the schooner and u ejoy music and caipirinhas, you also see loads of small beautiful paradise-like islands and u feel like u wanna jump out of the schooner and swin to one of those islets
The beautiful Parnaioca beach was once the most inhabitated village in all the island,today it's a very isolated place!
This beach is geographically situaed to the Atlantic,its beach is very violent,very deep.
You can find here some ruins of churches built by the african slaves,and the river,with the same name is a beauty itself!
Here's also a site where the poluiting tourists love to leave their traces behind during weekends/holidays!
In this beautiful corner of Ilha,was located the " CANDIDO MENDES " prison for political prisoners,till 1993,when finally its ugly walls were destroyed.
Nowadays,it's a research center administrated by the Federal University of Rio De Janeiro ( UFRJ ).
Today,only few families live here,and they serve meals in their houses for the visitors.
The name " DOIS RIOS "( 2 rivers ),comes from the fact a river crosses the 2 sides of this beach.
The clean water has a light/blue collor.
Visitations are permited till 5pm.
The second highest point in Ilha ( 990m).
We climbed the peak,and it took 3 hours!!
You can see many faces in it:from Abraao beach,it looks as a parrot,from closer,maybe a rat,a dog,an elephant (imagination runs - maybe influence of height?!)
The view of the island from there...see yourself!!
Many fires happened here,destroying sometimes a big part of the Papagaio nature reserve!!
- Eco-Tourism
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